Francis J. Jirousek

CUSTER PARK—Francis J. Jirousek, 89, of Custer Park, passed away comfortably at his home on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
Frank was born Sept. 6, 1935 in Braidwood, the son of Frank and Kate (Vaira) Jirousek. He graduated from Reed-Custer High School and received a Business Degree from Joliet Junior College. He worked most of his life at Roper Corporation in Kankakee as the Director for the Data Processing Department, leading the cutting edge of the first computers in the United States, back when they were as big as your living room. He was always surprised to see the capabilities of the Smart Phones today in comparison.
Frank was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, both in Braidwood. He began as an Altar Boy when he was in 4th grade and always enjoyed “getting out of school” when he was asked to serve during the week for the occasional funeral with his cousin, Hugh “Chewy” Mulligan. He lived his life to serve others and was a visionary for his children and the community by serving as president of the Grade School Board of Custer Park.
He also helped to create the Custer Park Volunteer Fire Department in 1964 and had many an adventure in our tiny community with occasional fires and the Railroad Bridge Train Wreck of 1969, in which he was the first on the scene. When he retired from Roper, he was able to travel with his wife to Europe many times, but his favorite times were his annual trips to Hawaii with his wife and daughter, Kathy and son-in-law, Stan. They tried to go every year and made it there 35 times. He loved his two grandsons and felt a “second wind” when they were born, as he had more time to spoil them. He attended all of their soccer games and because of his passion for music, his heart burst when they both joined the school band. Nothing in the world made him happier than spending time with “The love of his life,” his wife, Diane and his family.
Surviving are his wife, Diane (Campbell), who he married April 17, 1957 in Braidwood; three daughters: Karen (David) Soberski, of Orcutt, CA; Pam (Pat) Mullandy, of Limestone, IL and Kathy (Stan) Anton, of Custer Park; two grandchildren, Peter and Keith Mullady and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Tony Jirousek.
Visitation will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. Family and friends will meet at Immaculate Conception Church on Wednesday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m. for Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Braceville Gardner Cemetery in Braceville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Home Helpers of Kankakee, Lightways Hospice or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. For more information and to visit his online guestbook, please log on to www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find them on Facebook.
R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood was in charge of arrangements.